Sunday After Christmas: Joseph the Betrothed, James the Brother of God and King David

The Holy Prophet-King David, St Joseph the Betrothed,
and St James the Brother of the Lord are commemorated on the Sunday after the
Nativity. If there is no Sunday between December 25 and January 1, their
commemoration is moved to December 26.

At an
early date, some churches in the East began to commemorate certain important
figures of the New Testament at the time of Theophany, and later during the
Nativity season. In Syria, for example, St Stephen (December 27), Sts James
(April 30) and John (September 26), and Sts Peter and Paul (June 29) were
commemorated near the end of December.

In
Jerusalem, the saints mentioned above were combined with a feast that the Jews
of Hebron celebrated on December 25 or 26 in honor of the Old Testament
Patriarch Jacob. Later on, the Christians substituted St James (October 23) for
Jacob, and then the commemoration of the Brother of the Lord became associated
with his ancestor King David. In time, St. Joseph was linked with Sts David and
James.

Saint
Joseph the Betrothed

Saint
Joseph the Betrothed was of the lineage of King David. In his first marriage,
he had four sons and two daughters. After he became a widower, St Joseph led a
life of strict temperance. He was chosen to be the husband and guardian of the
Most Holy Theotokos, who had taken a vow of virginity.

An angel
told him of the Incarnation of the Son of God through her. St Joseph was
present when the shepherds and the Magi worshiped the new-born divine Infant.
On the orders of the angel, he fled into Egypt with the Mother of God and the
Infant Jesus, saving them from the wrath of King Herod. He lived in Egypt with
the Virgin Mary and the divine Child, working as a carpenter. St Joseph
reputedly died at the age of one hundred.

St Joseph
is commemorated on the Sunday after the Nativity. If there is no Sunday between
December 25 and January 1, his Feast is moved to December 26. The Righteous
Joseph is also commemorated on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers.

Saint
James the Brother of the Lord

The Holy
Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, was the eldest son of Joseph the Betrothed
from his first marriage with Solomonia. The Apostle James is remembered after
the Feast of the Nativity of Christ together with his father Joseph and the
Prophet-King David, since he accompanied his family on the Flight into Egypt
and lived there with the Infant Jesus, the Mother of God and Joseph. Later, he
returned to Israel with them.

After the
Ascension of the Lord, St James was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, gaining the
great esteem not only of Christians, but also of Jews. He was thrown from the
roof of the Jerusalem Temple because he had publicly preached to the people
about the God-manhood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Apostle James is also
commemorated on October 23.

The Holy
David the Prophet and King

The Holy
Prophet-King David was a forefather of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the
flesh. The youngest son of Jesse, David shepherded a flock of sheep belonging
to his father. He was distinguished by his deep faith, and he zealously
fulfilled the will of God.

During a
battle with the Philistines, he vanquished the giant Goliath in single combat,
which decided the outcome of the war in favor of the Israelites. He endured
many things from King Saul, who saw him as a favorite of the people and his
rival. David, however, showed his own decency and magnanimity. Twice, when he
had the possibility of killing Saul, he did not do so.

After Saul
and his son perished, David was proclaimed king of the southern part of Israel,
and after Saul's second son was killed, he became king of all Israel. He built
a new capital, Jerusalem ("the City of Peace"), and a new tabernacle.
His great wish to build a Temple was not realized. It was foretold to him that
his son would build the Temple.

The life
of the Prophet David was darkened by a grievous falling: he took Uriah's wife
for himself, and sent Uriah to his death in battle. He was also an example of
great repentance, humbly and with faith bearing the sorrows sent in punishment
for his sins. St David gave a model for repentance in Psalm 50/51. King David
died in great old age with steadfast faith in the coming of the promised
Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. His divinely-inspired Psalter is widely used in
the divine services and in personal prayers. (See the Books of Kings and
Chronicles).

The holy
Prophet-King David is invoked by those facing a difficult situation, such as an
interview, etc.

Apolytikion
in the Second Tone:

Proclaim
the wonder, O Joseph, to David, the ancestor of God: you saw a Virgin great
with Child, you gave glory with the shepherds, you venerated with the Magi, you
received the news from the angel. Pray to Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion
in the Third Tone:

Today
godly David is filled with joy; Joseph and James offer praise. The glorious
crown of their kinship with Christ fills them with great joy. They sing praises
to the One ineffably born on earth, and they cry out: "O Compassionate
One, save those who honor You."

CONVERSATION

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